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arXiv:2012.15187

How perturbing a classical 3-spin chain can lead to quantum features

Bianca Rizzo

Published Dec 30, 2020• 0 citations
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Abstract

In this thesis we will work under the premises of the Cellular Automata Interpretation of QM, by Gerard 't Hooft, according to whom particles evolve following the rules of Cellular Automata (CA), a mathematical model consisting of discrete units that evolve following deterministic laws in discrete space and time. The states of a Cellular Automaton are, by definition, classical and thus deterministic and do not form superpositions. Since it is not possible to know how to demonstrate the underlying classical deterministic structure and dynamics at the smallest microscopic scales at present, what we pursue in this thesis, besides summarizing the concept of the Cellular Automaton Interpretation, is to show that quantum phenomena, in particular superposition states, can arise in a deterministic model because of the limited precision of measurements. In order to do that, we follow the path of a recent article by Elze, considering a triplet of Ising spins and their dynamics in a CA context, which is possible to formalize using Pauli matrices and quantum mechanics operators. We will thus observe how the system will shift from a triplet of Ising spins to a triplet of qubits due to the arising of superposition after applying some perturbations on the Hamiltonian and the dynamics operators.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2012.15187

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In this thesis we will work under the premises of the Cellular Automata Interpretation of QM, by Gerard 't Hooft, according to whom particles evolve following the rules of Cellular Automata (CA), a mathematical model consisting of discrete units that evolve following deterministic laws in discrete space and time. The states of a Cellular Automaton are, by definition, classical and thus deterministic and do not form superpositions. Since it is not possible to know how to demonstrate the underlying classical deterministic structure and dynamics at the smallest microscopic scales at present, what we pursue in this thesis, besides summarizing the concept of the Cellular Automaton Interpretation, is to show that quantum phenomena, in particular superposition states, can arise in a deterministic model because of the limited precision of measurements. In order to do that, we follow the path of a recent article by Elze, considering a triplet of Ising spins and their dynamics in a CA context, which is possible to formalize using Pauli matrices and quantum mechanics operators. We will thus observe how the system will shift from a triplet of Ising spins to a triplet of qubits due to the arising of superposition after applying some perturbations on the Hamiltonian and the dynamics operators.
Cellular automata (CA) can show well known features of quantum mechanics (QM), such as a linear updating rule that resembles a discretized form of the Schrödinger equation together with its conservation laws. Surprisingly, a whole class of “natural” Hamiltonian CA, which are based entirely on integer-valued variables and couplings and derived from an action principle, can be mapped reversibly to continuum models with the help of sampling theory. This results in “deformed” quantum mechanical models with a finite discreteness scale l, which for [Formula: see text] reproduce the familiar continuum limit. Presently, we show, in particular, how such automata can form “multipartite” systems consistently with the tensor product structures of non-relativistic many-body QM, while maintaining the linearity of dynamics. Consequently, the superposition principle is fully operative already on the level of these primordial discrete deterministic automata, including the essential quantum effects of interference and entanglement.
The notion of ontological states is introduced here with reference to the Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (QM) proposed by ’t Hooft. A class of discrete deterministic “Hamiltonian” Cellular Automata (CA) is defined that has been shown to bear many features in common with continuum quantum mechanical models, however, deformed by the presence of a finite discreteness scale [Formula: see text], such that for [Formula: see text], the usual properties result e.g. concerning linearity, dispersion relations, multipartite systems, and Superposition Principle. We argue that within this class of models, only very primitive realizations of ontological states and their dynamics can exist, since the equations of motion tend to produce superposition states that are not ontological. The most interesting, if not the only way out seems to involve interacting multipartite systems composed of two-state “Ising spins”, which evolve by a unitary transfer matrix. Thus, quantum like and ontological models appear side by side here, but distinguished by second-order and first-order dynamics, respectively.
Cellular automata can show well known features of quantum mechanics, such as a linear rule according to which they evolve and which resembles a discretized version of the Schrödinger equation. This includes corresponding conservation laws. The class of "natural" Hamiltonian cellular automata is based exclusively on integer-valued variables and couplings and their dynamics derives from an Action Principle. They can be mapped reversibly to continuum models by applying Sampling Theory. Thus, "deformed" quantum mechanical models with a finite discreteness scale l are obtained, which for l → 0 reproduce familiar continuum results. We have recently demonstrated that such automata can form "multipartite" systems consistently with the tensor product structures of nonrelativistic many-body quantum mechanics, while interacting and maintaining the linear evolution. Consequently, the Superposition Principle fully applies for such primitive discrete deterministic automata and their composites and can produce the essential quantum effects of interference and entanglement.
A synopsis is offered of the properties of discrete and integer-valued, hence "natural", cellular automata (CA). A particular class comprises the "Hamiltonian CA" with discrete updating rules that resemble Hamilton's equations. The resulting dynamics is linear like the unitary evolution described by the Schrödinger equation. Employing Shannon's Sampling Theorem, we construct an invertible map between such CA and continuous quantum mechanical models which incorporate a fundamental discreteness scale l . Consequently, there is a one-to-one correspondence of quantum mechanical and CA conservation laws. We discuss the important issue of linearity, recalling that nonlinearities imply nonlocal effects in the continuous quantum mechanical description of intrinsically local discrete CA - requiring locality entails linearity. The admissible CA observables and the existence of solutions of the l -dependent dispersion relation for stationary states are mentioned, besides the construction of multipartite CA obeying the Superposition Principle. We point out problems when trying to match the deterministic CA here to those envisioned in 't Hooft's CA Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.
Based on the concept of ontological states and their dynamical evolution by permutations, as assumed in the Cellular Automaton Interpretation (CAI) of quantum mechanics, we address the issue of whether quantum-classical hybrids can be described consistently in this framework. We consider chains of ‘classical’ two-state Ising spins and their discrete deterministic dynamics as an ontological model with an unitary evolution operator generated by pair-exchange interactions. A simple error mechanism is identified, which turns them into quantum mechanical objects: chains of qubits. Consequently, an interaction between a quantum mechanical and a ‘classical’ chain can be introduced and its consequences for this quantum-classical hybrid can be studied. We found that such hybrid character of composites, generally, does not persist under interactions and, therefore, cannot be upheld consistently, or even as a fundamental notion à la Kopenhagen interpretation, within CAI.
Cornerstones of the Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics are its ontological states that evolve by permutations, in this way never creating would-be quantum mechanical superposition states. We review and illustrate this with a classical Ising spin chain. It is shown that it can be related to the Weyl equation in the continuum limit. Yet, the model of discrete spins or bits unavoidably becomes a model of qubits by generating superpositions, if only slightly deformed. We study modifications of its signal velocity which, however, do not relate to mass terms. To incorporate the latter, we consider the Dirac equation in 1+1 dimensions and sketch an underlying discrete deterministic “necklace of necklaces” automaton that qualifies as ontological.